Upcycle Wooden Spoons Into Garden Markers

With autumn officially arriving next month, here’s a unique (and inexpensive) idea on how to upcycle wooden spoons into garden markers.

Having invested in the garden this summer (well, more from VIP's perspective than mine), it's great to be able to come up with a nice little project for encouraging kids to grow their own fruit and veg – and turn it into something of an educational experience.

Well you know, all this time off school and anything to help them grow the grey matter right?!So here it is in step-by-step – how to upcycle wooden spoons:

Step 1:

Buy some plain, inexpensive wooden spoons. I picked mine up for £2.49 from B&M, but you'll find them in most hardware shops or places like Poundland etc..

Step 2:

Paint the spoons (and most of the handle) in different colours, propping each in a glass so that it dries without getting paint everywhere.

A top tip is to use pale colours if you can. When dry, give them a second coat of colour.

Step 3:

Decide on what you’d like to grow (see the guide at the bottom for what to plant in August), and using a sharpie pen, write the name of the fruit or vegetable on the spoon

Step 4:

Using oil paint if possible, paint a picture of the fruit or vegetable on the spoon and leave until dry.

If you haven’t got a steady hand, you can always print out pictures and glue them to the spoon instead.

Step 5:

Give the spoons two coats of varnish to protect them from the elements.

A top tip is to use spray varnish, but make sure the room is well ventilated if using spray – or better still, do it outdoors if the weather isn't too windy!

And hey presto! It's as simple as that! Here's a few ideas for what to start planting in late summer which will be ripe for the picking in a few months from now…

That’s great to hear Sarah – I’m going to get my kids involved in the painting of some more I think. Call me crazy, but we’ve had a few people comment on how nice they are and I’m thinking they’d make nice gifts for the garden for people’s birthdays and even Xmas.

Thanks Rhian – there are mini wooden spoons out there too, so don’t discount them because of lack of a garden – you could make a mini one for your kitchen windowsill – and keep an eye on growing them while the fruit/veg are young and fragile. They make nice gifts for someone too – nothing nicer than a handmade gift!

It’s a nice little project for this kids – and you can’t really go wrong with painting wooden spoons can you? Maybe leave the varnishing for the adults though as it doesn’t smell pleasant when it first goes on. Helps keep the spoons looking better for longer though. Also, if the kids (or you) don’t want to paint on the veggies/fruit you can always cut out pics from mags.

That’s wonderful Jenny – it’s always nice to come up with new & novel ways to keep the kids entertained isn’t it? Stone art (or rock art) is another idea – have a look at some YouTube videos for inspiration!

They do brighten up the garden Elizabeth, you’re right. And actually, they’ve been a great talking point for when people come over too – it’s nice to get admiring comments. Thinking of doing some more and giving them away as Christmas gifts!

Ha ha! Yours and mine both Sarah! Especially when the seeds or plants are tiny. I’d never remember what I planted where – I usually leave garden stuff to VIP if I’m honest! But I do love contributing in terms of decor 🙂

Yes! That’s true – a bit of upcycling never went amiss and every now and then we do have to get rid of our old wooden spoons don’t we. For metal spoons another idea are repurposing them as wind chimes – although maybe make sure you don’t annoy the neighbours with them! lol

Ah thanks Kerry – I know you’ve got your little garden patch going on with mini rocket (which I love), so I’m glad you like them. My artwork wasn’t mine (got to be honest!) it was VIPs! BUT if it were me doing this I’d cut out pictures of carrots from the Lidl mag and decoupage them on – just a thought! lol xxxx

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I'm Lauretta – journalist, mum of teens and lover of cake and quotes. I mainly write about my two passions - travel & interiors - plus life in general post-cancer. Feel free to say hi or leave a message – I love to chat!